Soccer Digest: Newcastle revealed yesterday they have reached a £10-million agreement with Inter Milan for the sale of Obafemi Martins, writes Michael Walker.
A Newcastle delegation was understood to be in Milan last night to finalise details of the move for the 21-year-old Nigerian international, but Newcastle have raised around £3.5 million having done other business in Italy yesterday.
Jean-Alain Boumsong joined Juventus for a fee that may rise to £4.5 million on appearances. Although that would represent a loss of £4 million on the amount paid to Rangers for Boumsong 18 months ago, there will be satisfaction at St James' Park that they recouped any money for the defender signed by Graeme Souness.
The 26-year-old France international made 59 appearances for Newcastle.
Mixed news for Celtic
Celtic are closing in on Wolves defender Lee Naylor (26) but their bid to land PSV Eindhoven striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink remains in the balance.
The Scottish champions have agreed a fee with the Dutch outfit, in the region of £5 million, but he is not happy with the terms offered.
Vennegoor of Hesselink is manager Gordon Strachan's main target before the transfer deadline, although Celtic will have to increase their wage offer to land the 27-year-old Dutch international.
WBA land Phillips
Aston Villa striker Kevin Phillips has signed for West Brom in a £700,000 deal after the Championship side beat Niall Quinn's Sunderland to his signature.
The 33-year-old has agreed a two-year contract after holding talks and passing a medical.
Phillips spent one season at Villa after moving from Southampton and scored just five goals in an injury-hit campaign.
Israeli homecoming
European soccer's governing body Uefa could allow international matches to be played under its jurisdiction in Israel again "very shortly", the Israel Football Association chairman has said.
Last month Uefa prevented Israeli clubs from hosting matches on home soil because of the war between Lebanese Hizbullah and Israel, which ended with a ceasefire last week.
In brief . . .
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has issued yet another hands-off message to Tottenham amid fresh speculation that they are targeting England winger Stewart Downing . . . An Italian court yesterday rejected an appeal by two former top officials of Juventus, general manager Luciano Moggi and ex-chief executive Antonio Giraudo, who were found guilty of sporting fraud by a soccer tribunal which relegated the club to the second division. . . Blackburn have had a bid, believed to be in the region of £2.1 million, for Holland defender Andre Ooijer (32) accepted by PSV Eindhoven. . . Blackburn defender Andy Todd has won his appeal against the red card he was shown in Rovers' Premiership opener at Portsmouth . . . Fulham manager Chris Coleman insists there have been no serious offers for midfielder Luis Boa Morte (29) but is ready to sell his club captain at the right price . . . The English Football Association have charged Fulham for the crowd disturbances that took place following the 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Craven Cottage on March 19th.
